our mission:

The Urban Native Collective exists to preserve and represent the culture and heritage of Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations people; to provide education, advocacy, and support on contemporary Indigenous issues and cultivate knowledge about Native American history in local and regional communities.

OUR VISION:

United Indigenous Communities

The Urban Native Collective's vision of "United Indigenous Communities" serves as the anchor for our mission. This vision encompasses the recognition and celebration of the diversity of Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations cultures including NHPI Peoples from the United States territories of Guam, Hawai’i, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands who represent diverse and unique cultures. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples who may live away from their ancestral homelands, or as the Original Peoples living in urban environments, while also embracing the wisdom and knowledge within these communities. We do this in several ways:

Preservation and Representation

At the core of this vision is the commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities. It is about creating spaces where traditions can be practiced, languages can be spoken, and cultural identities can flourish. This effort not only safeguards history but also ensures that Indigenous voices are represented in the narrative of urban landscapes.

Education and Advocacy

Education is a powerful tool for change. The vision champions education about the histories and contributions of Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations peoples, both within these communities and the broader public. Through advocacy, the Collective seeks to address contemporary issues, ensuring that the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples are recognized and respected.

Support and Cultivation of Knowledge

Support goes beyond addressing immediate needs—it involves the cultivation of knowledge that empowers Indigenous communities. This includes creating programs and resources that help Indigenous individuals understand their rights, access services, and participate fully in society. It's about fostering an environment where Indigenous knowledge is valued and contributes to community resilience.

Local and Regional Impact

The vision emphasizes the importance of local and regional action. It acknowledges that while Indigenous communities share common challenges, each community also has its own unique needs and strengths. By focusing on local and regional initiatives, the Collective can tailor its efforts to be as effective and relevant as possible.

How we do it

The vision of "United Indigenous Communities" is a call to unity, not uniformity. It is about supporting Indigenous peoples who do not live on their ancestral homelands or who live in urban settings and the broader society, fostering mutual respect, and creating a world where the heritage and rights of all Indigenous communities are recognized and celebrated. We are more than just a singular day of celebration on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Every Day is Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

Through this vision, the Urban Native Collective aims to create a lasting and positive impact on both the Indigenous peoples it serves and the society in which they live.

WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED:

• Co-Created Indigenous Peoples Day with the City of Cincinnati.

• Hosted the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Educator’s Workshop on Native history and cultures.

• Co-hosted the 24th Annual World Peace and Prayer Day with Chief Arvol Looking Horse, uniting Peoples of all Nations in prayer for the planet.

• Partnered with Playhouse in the Park on a Red Dress installation to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

• Helped establish Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Cincinnati.

• Presented at the High Aim Teacher’s Conference, challenging stereotypes in history and literature and advancing inclusive education.

• Organized the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Convergence annually since 2020, now drawing over 100,000 participants from Ohio, Indiana, and Northern Kentucky.

• Launched Pathways to Wellness, offering free mental health care, fitness programs, climbing access, traditional foods and medicines, and urban gardens.

• Built the Native Sovereignty Center, home to Indigenous Pages (a free lending library), crafts and beading circles, community meetups, cultural celebrations, and more.

• Created the Ohio Native Land Initiative, mapping traditional food and medicine sources and sacred sites to strengthen Indigenous knowledge and land care.

• Expanded mutual aid partnerships across the tri-state region to strengthen support for Native families.

OUR Partners:

We are taught that nothing happens to one, without also happening to all. Choices, actions, and inactions affect everything, grounding ourselves in this mindset creates a sense of deep responsibility and care with all things. We understand our connections to all things, past present and future. We are grounded in this mindset, integrated into the ecosystem. Our responsibility is to remember that wisdom comes from many places, and to listen to those sources:

We don’t do this alone.

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